Davy Fitzgerald: Clare native parts ways with Antrim after exiting McDonagh Cup

Davy Fitzgerald’s tenure as Antrim manager has come to an end following the Saffrons’ exit from the Joe McDonagh Cup.

Following Darren Gleeson’s departure in 2024, the Clare man took up the job with a third option for a two-year term, but BBC Sport NI can confirm the Sixmilebridge man has decided to step down.

His term ends today and although Fitzgerald declined to comment after Sunday’s final round Joe McDonagh Cup win over Carlow, he told the Antrim squad after the match that he was stepping down with immediate effect, citing a breach of trust with some members of the county board.

Antrim – who lost their first McDonagh Cup games to Down and Laois – bounced back with a hat-trick of wins against London, Westmeath and Carlow.

Relations between Fitzgerald and the Antrim County Board have been under considerable strain since the fallout following the defeat to Laois last month, which saw Antrim GAA release a statement saying the Clare man had been sacked and then reinstated as senior hurling manager due to squad concerns.

As a former All-Ireland winning player and manager of his native county, Fitzgerald is the most high-profile manager to take the reins of Antrim hurling.

After winning All-Irelands as goalkeeper with Clare in 1995 and 1997, Fitzgerald’s first foray into management came with Waterford in 2008, leading the Dees to that year’s All-Ireland final and a Munster title two years later.

He has been involved with an inter-county team since leading Clare to All-Ireland glory in 2013 and then moved to Wexford where he delivered a Leinster title in 2019.

After a spell as Cork Camogie coach and a return to management with Waterford, he moved north to manage Antrim.